NCFE in partnership with Reed

An innovative collaboration between an employment and skills provider and a national awarding body will be unveiled this week.

NCFE and Reed in Partnership say that the partnership will have a profound impact on how colleges support students from learning into the workplace.

It is due to be officially revealed at this week’s Association of Colleges (AoC) Annual Conference and Exhibition in Birmingham.

The model the two organisations have developed provides learners with the REED NCFE Level 1, 2 and 3 Awards in Job Search and Interview Skills.

This can be further reinforced by a tailored programme of student and employer engagement, employment consultation, job brokerage, careers advice and work experience.

David Grailey, chief executive of NCFE, and James Reed, chairman of Reed, will speak at a seminar to launch the initiative on Wednesday.

They will be joined by Lawrence Vincent, principal and chief executive of Bournemouth and Poole College, the first college to work with The REED NCFE Partnership to create greater opportunities for their students and track their success.

There is clear evidence that if learners have the correct mindset they are far more likely to be attractive to employers.”

Opening the seminar “Can your college do more to equip students for the labour market?” Geoff Russell, chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), will be presenting on funding plans for Employment Outcomes and Progression in Work.

Mr Reed said: “We believe the collaboration between NCFE and ourselves will equip students to succeed when taking the step from learning into work.

“It is essential learners have the right skills and mindset to appeal to potential employers as well as realistic expectations for their first job.

“There is clear evidence that if learners have the correct mindset they are far more likely to be attractive to employers.”

In a recent global survey of 1,264 employers conducted by REED, 97 per cent put mindset ahead of skill set when recruiting.

In a further study of 30,000 CVs, comparing successful CVs against unsuccessful CVs, REED found demonstrating your mindset in action on your CV tripled the chances of getting and keeping the best job.

Mr Graile said: “Crucially, it’s also very much in line with the government’s strong focus on evidencing positive employment outcomes for students, which will affect funding for education institutions in the near future.

“This is a package tailored to the needs of learners and employers in a local area.

“It will positively enhance employment outcomes by brokering, managing and offering learners a wide variety of suitable job opportunities, which will include apprenticeships in the hidden labour market, enabling colleges to draw down significant additional funding.”